The real stories from inside the F1 paddock

Spring cleaning…

It is a bit early to be spring, but it is quiet and a good time to tidy the dusty corridors of the virtual world. I thought it might be interesting for readers to see what is written in the blog rules because quite often commenters don’t seem to understand what this blog is all about.

So here it is…

I started writing a column called in Autosport in 1988, which some clever soul decided to call Globetrotter, presumably on the basis that I spent less time in the office than they did.

JS & Tandy 200…

I was out on the road and I wanted readers to know what it was like. This made the column rather unusual at the time because it mixed F1 with travel writing and added personal touches. It was designed to engage with fans and to take the readers into the inner sanctum of the sport – inside the gates – and let them know what it was like to be in Sao Paulo, or Adelaide, or wherever I happened to be. With all the ups and downs, like jet-lag…

This blog follows in that tradition. A lot of people do not understand what the word “blog” means. A blog is not a traditional new source, but rather a personal web log (hence the name) of whatever the author wants to include. Blogs tend to have themes and in this case the theme is the complex world of Formula 1 motor racing, but if I wish to write about wasabi, French taxi drivers or hairstyles in Peru, I am at liberty to do so.

I am happy to allow people to air their opinions in comments, as long as this is done in a respectful fashion. A good rule of thumb when writing a comment is to question whether you would say such a thing to someone’s face…

You must remember that you are, in effect, a guest in my house, so being abusive and rude about me or others is simply not acceptable and such comments will be deleted and the commenter will be blocked from making further comments. In other words, you get blackballed from the club.
I would appreciate if people do not post links as I am not an advertising service for other websites. That is like coming round for tea and pasting a circus poster on the wall of my sitting room.

It is sad to relate, but many F1 websites are run by frauds; people who know nothing about the sport from the inside. They pretend to have inside information and would like to be involved, but in reality they know little more than their readers. So be aware that this is the norm. One of the reasons I write this blog is to counter this trend.

I am a professional motorsport journalist with 33 years of experience in the business, the majority of that time has been spent reporting on the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, but I have done many other things well, including the Dakar, Le Mans, Bathurst, NASCAR and the Indy 500. I’ve even been known to turn up at French hillclimbs. I’ve worked in the junior formulae and in touring cars, and sportscars. There are still some things I’d like to do, but time is short and we all have other responsibilities in life. My primary work is Formula 1 and I have attended every Grand Prix since the middle of 1988 and I am fully accredited as an FIA Formula 1 Permanent Passholder.

Commenters often make the suggestion that I am biased in favour of the British, but they do not ever consider that I am lucky enough to have travelled for more than 30 years and that I have lived in France for more than 25 years. My son has three nationalities. I have had experience visiting and doing business with people from many nations and many cultures, so please understand that nationalism is not a huge thing for me. I prefer to be called an internationalist.

My posts will generally steer clear of religion and politics, but sometimes I will express an opinion. It is my opinion and no matter what your opinion is, I’m not going to change my views, particularly if you write a tirade based on what you think. I may be wrong, but then you may be wrong as well, so let us live and let live. I am open to intelligent discussion and if you have powerful arguments then perhaps I will change my views.

I refrain from writing about the private lives of the F1 racing stars, unless it has a direct effect on their on-track performance. We are all entitled to privacy. Formula 1 people are not public servants, but – whether they like it or not – they are role models and thus inappropriate behaviour may be reported, particularly if it involves hypocrisy. If, for example, a driver has taken part in anti-drinking campaigns and is arrested on drink-driving charges I think that is a matter of public interest and it will be reported. Similarly, criminal acts will be noted. Those in positions of power, who can influence the sport, will be treated in a similar fashion, no matter who they are.

I consider that elected officials (including members of organisations such as the FIA) should be treated as public servants. They claim to represent the automobile world and so must live up to the standard of expected behaviour. They are trying to influence governments with their campaigns and so have a responsibility to behave in a manner that is appropriate to that position. My criteria for behaviour is usually based on whether one can be blackmailed if caught doing it, as this means the sport can be influenced.

My blog will be used to promote products and events with which I am associated. My books, the GP+ e-magazine, the Business of Motorsport e-newsletter and the “Audience with Joe” events are all included in this category.

I occasionally write material for promotional publications and from time to time I act as a consultant or a non-executive director, for companies involved in F1 – if I am asked to do so. The commentary, analysis and opinions expressed in my work are not affected by these arrangements. If I consider there to be a conflict of interest, I will stop any such activity. Industry consulting does not affect my views as a journalist, except perhaps to give me greater insight into the organisations or people involved. If you would like professional advice, please leave a comment, with suitable contact details.

My goal is to amuse and inform and I hope that readers will respect that desire. I am not here to argue endlessly with commenters. There is more to life than that.

Good stuff Joe. I work primarily in the hi-fi and pro-audio sector, including regular magazine contributions, and I can think of quite a few folk in my field who would do well to pursue their professional lives with the same common-sense professional ethics as you do yours. Keep up the great work.

Hi Joe, perhaps a good idea to explain the way your blog works at the start of every season, just so that everyone does understand the rules & reasons. I visit your blog as often as possible to be amused & informed, and admit that some of the amusement & information can come from the comments of other readers too. having said that I do often sense the ‘frustration’ in your replies to others.
Please keep up the good work (including GP+) and don’t let the minority spoil it for the majority.

Dear Joe,
I started out reading about your thoughts and adventures in Autosport’s Globetrotter. You’re a great source of information about F1 and racing in general. Although I do not always agree with you about the status of F1 reading your blog is always a pleasure.

Joe, a well written (as usual) reminder. I always look forward to an “insider” post or a veiw on why something has happened and what has not been said. I am looking forward to the season, it could be an explosive one, Nico pushing Lewis Hard – Vettel getting stuck in and perhaps Haas surprising the midfield?

You remind me of Elliot Ness, the incorruptible Detective. Your words are sound, honest & true. I particularly enjoy reading your work. I have enjoyed recently Filling & Waffle, & this item too. I wish I had been as civilised with some of my comments in the past towards reps of F1. Thank you Joe.

Hi Joe,
Thank you very much for all your efforts with the blog. It is, insightful, amusing and very informative. I couldnt agree more about your comments regarding other websites, they pitfully sad and some of the comments you see are just plain ignorant. I have followed motor sport in all its forms from the age of 10 and as I reach the more mellow years I find it sad that many of the wonderful developements are ignored, the engines now are fantastic, yet we see this ignored, so sad. So thanks Joe all the blog comments are a wonderful insight thank you for inviting me to your house

“I would appreciate if people do not post links as I am not an advertising service for other websites. That is like coming round for tea and pasting a circus poster on the wall of my sitting room”

The link is the fundamental building block of the internet. There’s nothing rude about posting them. In your analogy they’d be like coming round for tea and telling you about that thing that you (and others) might be interested in.

As you say, your blog, your rules and you are more than entitled to do what you like with it. Banning the internet from it seems, to me, a little mean spirited and probably not in your interests, in terms of SEO if nothing else.

I think he has a point. There are links and there are links. The blatent advertisement of a site, or product I can understand as being a no, no. However, someone posting a link providing further reading on a subject, or providing a link that answers a question. Is that really so bad?
As you rightly say though, it’s your blog and your rules.

Joe has invariably shown sensible discretion with links, refusing those to the competition, allowing those which reinforce a sensibly made point or provide a reference in the context of a wider discussion.

Hello from rural New South Wales. I’m not interested in peoples personal lives or similar detail so Grandprixplus and your blog is my source of F1 news these days. I’m looking forward to another good year of racing and travel stories along the way. Thanks.

Nice blog Joe! Everything is logic and common sense, which can be tough to find these days. I do have a question of curiosity and if you elect not to answer, I fully understand and respect your privacy. I have been subscribed to your blog for several years, however I certainly didn’t come in on the ground level. The inspiration for my question today is when you mentioned some journalists say you are pro-British. My curiosity is what was your motivation to move to France? I don’t ask that in any disrespect. France is a magnificent country and has a deep culture, rich with history, culture, cuisine, wine, the most beautiful language on the planet, and much more. All of these things are certainly attractive incentives. But are they enough to motivate one to move there? In your professional field, even the French team, not to mention the German and Indian teams are based in England. As a matter of fact, I would guess that 80% of F1 is based in England. You even write in English ( though for all I know, you may also write in French as well?). So I’m curious what your motivation was to move and settle in France? Thanks! 🙂

It is a long story but involved London property prices being too high to even get on the ladder with an Autosport salary, and finding a wonderful place for very little money in the south-west of France, at a time when electronic communication was just beginning…

Hi Joe. Keep up the good work. On a subject unrelated to this but close to your heart I have 2 boys (9 & 6) who love cars / racing. They have recently discovered the Tooned animated series by Mclaren which they love. It’s a shame watching this on 2 counts….1 just to see how far Mclaren have fallen and 2 in that there doesn’t seem to be any attempt to bring the younger generation into the sport and F1 just deosn’t seem to get it. Interestingly for all my indoctrination into noise and visceral excitement they don’t seem that interested by this. They are both attracted to Formula E and WEC and are not interested in how loud but how fast – should Formula E ever get it’s act together and become a serious racing series then bye bye fossil fuel racing for the future generations. They do not understand why F1 drivers are not racing like the WEC cars do. There is no point in F1 being a technical tour de force if it is not being used to race flat out and despite me explaining how amazing the engineering is they simply want to watch exciting racing. No doubt when they are older they will appreciate the cutting edge tech but by then it will be too late and they will be watching Tesla powered futuristic single seaters blowing everything into the weeds while the F1 cars of the future are trying to decide which tyre is best for the next 3 laps and how many laps they can eke out on 54.5 litres of black stuff from a hole in the ground. From my vantage point there is a lost generation being raised in front of my very eyes which I am trying to change but I am fighting a losing battle – there is just too much else going on for kids and F1 is squandering it’s fantastic position in an increasingly crowded market for kids. I feel like the sport i have loved since a young boy is sleepwalking into oblivion.

Dear Joe,
Whenever I see comments by trolls, I’ve found that you can gauge their intellect (or lack thereof), by the manner in which they articulate – and in particular spell – their drivel. I guess they’re an unpleasant bi-product of this marvellous medium we all share. Do please keep up the great work, it’s very much appreciated and remember, yours is the stand-out F1 blog.

While I certainly agree that not all comments on all websites (F1 or otherwise) represent the best in humankind, may I just note to the suggestion that bad spelling suggests drivel that for many of us English is not a first, nor indeed close second, language? Given the interesting history and multiple influences on English from other languages, spelling can sometimes be rather a challenge for people like me.

In fact, I visit Joe’s blog for two almost equally important reasons: one is to learn really interesting behind-the-scenes information about F1 and the other is to enjoy and learn from the extremly well-written language that Joe presents. Oftentimes (is that a word?) I am reminded of the great late Sir Terry Pratchett – and that is praise of the highest caliber (or is that calibre?).

I suspect this would be meaningless to some of the worse trolls on here: “You must remember that you are, in effect, a guest in my house…” as they don’t strike me as the sort of people who are ever invited into anyone’s actual house…

Well said, that man.
It’s easy to get dragged down in the interwebs by a few unpleasant people, but I know there’s a large and largely-silent majority here who enjoy and learn from what you write. We don’t always agree with you, and we don’t all find everything equally interesting, but we respect what you say and the way you say it.
Here’s wishing you a prosperous 2016.

Joe, great note! It is a shame that you have to outline a set of rules. I guess it reflects more about today’s society that what any of us would just call good manners. Keep up the good work I look forward to reading your updates and appreciate all of your insights. Kind regards
Stuart

Joe, thanks for great & professional work. I would be interested to know if there are any concerns within the sport about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, which has affected American football players and I believe boxers too. Do the continual stresses of g-forces have a similar impact on drivers? And let’s hope not of course. Perhaps you have dealt with this before – I’m one of your blog’s fans (no doubt among many) in East Africa and I spend quite a lot of time in rural areas, so I don’t manage to keep up as much as I would like to.

I think that you have to do your own research on this topic, Jonathan. HANS-type restraints were designed to solve a different problem but may exacerbate other injuries. We should assume that designers of HANS devices consider all upper body and head consequences in accidents, and that they work with available data.

For acceleration forces and the human body, the military and aviation industries have studies and data. Pilots who use ejection seats have to pursue a lengthy health check.

As far as I remember from the discussions about concussion after Perez had that Monaco shunt (a few years back), as well as the accident Alonso had an most recently after Carlos Sainz had his shunt in Sochi, F1 has studied and doctors should be aware of the risks caused by repeated concussions, but they might need to have a clearer protocol about “time out” after a shunt.

Never seen anything about the G-forces from normal cornering and braking having that effect though. You might try to ask Gary Hartstein (i think he has a contact mentioned on his blog or try via Twitter) about that one though Jonathan Davies.

Thanks for posting Joe. Have read your rules, at times past, nice to see some extra history here as well. Sorry if recent engagements among the audience have pushed the need for rules to the forefront. Whilst I am surprised at the rudeness of some, I am learning that sometimes some people just don’t have any social skills. No it is not an excuse of course, just something I am learning, and trying to get my head around at times when I might otherwise respond in haste. As for myself, I am a work in progress – being passionate about subjects can make the line blurry at times, again, no excuse, just an honest admission. “The road is long, with many a winding turn…”

A blog is the journal or commenting of the author on a subject or subjects he is involved with. The rules and guidelines only apply to those involved in the comments. So I am sure a majority of readers have no need for them as they turn up and learn something they dont get by reading the F1 newsfeeds – an insiders opinion.

This is a world apart from the clickbait sites poisoning the sport, the ones who merely read the F1 newsfeeds and the reports by real journalists or even genuine members of discussion forums – and then rewrite the stories with a pretence of adding anything beyond sensationalist – (always negative) interpretations which they then claim to be facts furnished by real insiders in secret.

They then continue along the lines of brazenly continuing the pretense even when proven as liars.and ignorant fabricators. These sites really should not even be called blogs even less ‘news’ sites. They are more like a forum where ignorant and baseless facts can be posted by the owners with all other posts or comments carefully stylised to give the impression of a proper public forum with diverse public opinions. Its the worst of all worlds and seems to fool only idiots.

So we have the news sites which report the facts, then we have blogs by insiders which offer views and opinions on facts, then we have forums where facts can be discussed and opinions offered by non insiders. Then we have the clickbait sites where the facts are reported with sensational rewritten headlines. Finally we have the judge sites where outsiders make up lies based on selected rehashed facts and simulate a public forums where those lies are baked by pretending that they are being discussed by vetted or made up posts.

A blog can break news when the author has inside access, a judgesite can create non news by declaring that Red Bull will have 68 tokens for use in 2016 and then create the impression of debate – this is all fiction

I read this blog and a few others to give me a concise quality overview of F1. Years ago, I bought Autosport magazine every week. Some weeks, except for race reports from far flung places, there was little news. The adverts were always interesting…

Even when the F1 season started in January in South America, not much happened until the series restarted in Europe. Behind the scenes, engineers and mechanics were struggling to build cars. Team owners and drivers were talking in private about money and sponsors. But until there was a car on the track with a driver behind the wheel, there was little news for serious journalists.

Please carry on with the frivolous/evil quiz, historical anecdotes and travel stories during the dry season. They’re entertaining punctuation between stuff that matters.

Less professional blogs who report gossip provide a service for fans who love counterfactual history. However, they’re making it harder for those studying historical F1 in 20 years time.

Good on ya, Joe. People are entitled to their own opinions (and God knows the internet enables some daft opinions), but you decide what’s shown on YOUR blog.
For me, I enjoy the blog, post to occasional comment, but have been reading your lines since somewhere in the eighties (autosport) and even a book or two you’ve participated in. So, now finally, I’ve decided to by your book s( as promted on these pages) and I just got word they will be delivered soon. So I’m looking forward to reading those, especially after the recommendations I’ve read.
Keep it up!

I agree with Joe! To paraphrase a rather famous British General Election programme where it was some guy called Nick that the others wanted to agree with….however i digress!!
It is a great blog, because it has a great writer, one who has knowledge on his subject, a generally logical outlook, and an abundance of dry humour….what’s not to like eh?
I have recently mentioned Joe’s Globetrotter column, which like Roebuck, was a part of Autosport magazine that one immediately looked at, before delving into the other parts such as mere race reports!
I also like the blog because those who comment on it, are for the main part, very civilized, and what i’d call ” proper enthusiasts ” rather than the sychophantic “fanboys” that lurk in other areas of the cyberworld.
I hope Joe keeps it going for many years, and although the current F1 bits don’t get my major interest these days, i’m starting to seriously consider buying the Emag, and just reading the parts that i used to find and enjoy in other magazines on the sport, most of which having now gone dumbed down since they don’t have the quality of writing that people like Joe still have!

Hi Joe. Thanks for all the great blogging and all the other media you let out into the world!
Your writing & thoughts have genuinely enriched the experience of f1 for me this past few years (f1 fan since Monaco ’88 delighted a child sized version of myself).

A thought on GP+.
I have turned down repeated offers of a subscription as a gift because of the post race release. I crave and search for quality f1 writing across the race weekend. The history, context, backdrop to the race etc I want to read before hand – not after – when I want the analysis & review section.
If GP+ were to be available as a staggered release – digital magazine for the race weekend – I’d be all over it like the proverbial rash.
You’ll know better than I the logistics and implications of such a move but I thought I’d throw the suggestion your way.

All the best for the virtual spring cleaning (social media ‘on fleek’ btw) and the season coming.

Logistically impossible and besides, the point is that it is all in one. This means it will all make sense in 10 years time when most F1 coverage will just be a jigsaw puzzle for those trying to figure out what happened. This is a one-stop shop.

The tech exists to do it and retain cohesion (even a pay walled gp+ website with download-able magazine copy after the race would work) but I appreciate it isn’t compatible with your current model.
All the best 🙂

When Denis Sargent Jenkinson (DSJ at Motor Sport) wrote his racing reports, he was writing about what he observed. Sometimes he was the only journalist in the pits to identify quirks about a car.

Today, allegedly, everyone knows the chassis number and the significance of the angle of the second vane on the front wing. You know what it is — it’s the useless thing that is whacked off at the first corner.

Joe , here’s a note to give a little feedback about your influence on us all .
Back a while , when there were student protests in Montreal , I made a rather snotty post about you visiting my coffee shop to talk about the issue of whether it was right to attend .
I was being a fool and you put me quickly in my place with a comment that has impressed me ever since , and saddened me that I didn’t have the stones to take the bait .
You told me that my coffee was terrible , presumably to prompt me to say that you know nothing about coffee . so that you could kindly reply that I knew nothing about F1 .

You would have been right , at least in comparison to yourself .
I’ve been a fan since the 60s when all we got to see was Monaco on Wide World of Sports , then a bigger fan when Gilles came along , and then never a missed race(albeit only on tv but for Indy in 2000 and Canada in ’04) once son Jacques came on the scene .
Mind you , I didn’t get many in that quiz right .

Anyway , the point is that I appreciate having been straightened out , and hope never to prompt a cross response from you again .

Very honourable, Joe. We all love and care about the sport and everyone is passionate about it – it’s a great and grave situation that we find ourselves in as everyone tries to make a buck out of other people’s wishes, demands and obsession with the sport.

You are one of the most respected motorsport journalists, in my eyes anyway. While I run a motorsport podcast myself in my own time for recreation let alone professionally, I adhere to all of the values you have mentioned and I feel that everyone else should do so too. Unfortunately not everyone sees it that way.

Your “goal” is great, Joe, and I enjoy all your posts!
What amazes me is the broadness of your knowledge and the variety of the “stuf” you write about, and the depth of the detail!
Not only must you be a very skilled/fast keyboard operator, but you must actually love putting stuff in print.
Thanks a million.
PK.

The way I view things is that the relationship with your readership is symbiotic.
I read this blog primarily because of the well thought out analysis, but also because the readership and quality of the comments tends to be more sophisticated than the other sites, who are just chasing page views. They may have hundreds of comments, but a large proportion are nonsense. There may be fewer comments on here, but the significant majority are generally pertinent and contribute to the matter at hand.

Your endeavour to maintain the the quality of the blog and readership is highly appreciated.